Oakbrook Terrace, IL (May 22, 2013) – The Board of NCBTMB is pleased to announce the promotion of Steve Kirin to Chief Executive Officer. Stating that his transitional role and major organizational objectives are nearly complete, Mike Williams, interim CEO of NCBTMB, recommended Kirin’s promotion to the post. The promotion of Steve Kirin, the current Chief Operating Officer, is a natural progression of the changes implemented at NCBTMB over the past twenty months.

We are pleased to announce a number of Board transitions effective January 1, 2013.

Sue Toscano (current Chair-Elect) will become Chair beginning January 1, 2013. At that time, our current Chair, Alexa Zaledonis moves into her newly elected role as Treasurer, replacing Ronni Burns who has served as Treasurer for two years. Ronni will remain on the NCB Board as a public member.

Congratulations to our new Chair-Elect, Dr. Leena Guptha, who was elected by the current Board during our November Board meeting. Dr. Guptha will become Chair effective January 1, 2015.

Continuing education is a key element for the ongoing success and progression of a massage therapist's career. We recognize that continuing education (CE) courses take time, effort, and cost money. And while most courses and instructors deliver on the expected value, others have not hit the mark.

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) board chair Alexa Zaledonis has been elected to the Board of Directors Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC-www.accahc.org).

As previously announced, The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is rolling out a slate of products and services that individually and cumulatively will advance the standards in the massage and bodywork profession. We have reviewed the feedback given by the AMTA and the AFMTE regarding the Maintenance of Core Competence (MOCC) Program Proposal, and share some of their concerns as the proposal appears to advocate for an overall minimum level of required continuing education.

A Slate of New Programs Aimed at Elevating the Profession - Set to Roll Out Over the Next 12 Months

that will improve the quality and usefulness of all of its products and communications including a new certification credential, new technology, and improved tools and support. The nonprofit organization is completely revamping all areas of operation to ensure that the support is in place to elevate standards for the profession.

Insurance Agency Adjusts Financial Plan to Only Include Certified MTs

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois (January 20, 2012) – The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is pleased to share the news that Nationally Certified Massage Therapists in West Virginia will continue to have their services covered by the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). Initially, the PEIA Finance Board considered discontinuing massage therapy coverage altogether as a cost-savings measure, but with input from NCBTMB, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and practicing therapists, it will still cover active employees and non-Medicare retirees who visit massage therapists with national certification.